‘Old man’ Anderson Silva thinks Conor McGregor is ‘afraid to lose’ to him

Anderson Silva really is into the idea of facing Conor McGregor.

The former UFC middleweight champion first mentioned the idea of a catchweight bout with “The Notorious” in March 2016. More than two years later, when “The Notorious” was finally set to return to the Octagon against lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor cited Silva as one of his ideas for the future.

Since then, fighting the Irishman has become “The Spider’s” main topic on social media.

Away from the cage since his February 2017 win over Derek Brunson due to a battle with the United States Anti-Doping Agency, in which Silva eventually proved his failed drug test to be due to a contaminated supplement, the Brazilian star has asked several times for the match-up.

The latest comment came during a live stream on his Instagram account on Wednesday. After streaming his entire workout session on social media, Silva commented on who he wants next in the UFC.

”I’m waiting for the UFC about my next fight, and I’m training hard,” Silva said in English. “I accepted the challenge (from) Conor McGregor, but never (discussed) about this fight (with the UFC). But I’m ready, guys. I’m here, I’m training every day. I never lose my focus. I’m waiting for my next challenge.”

In the end, Silva in Portuguese that he thinks McGregor “is afraid to lose, supposedly, to an old man, but I’m here.”

Silva (34-8, 1 no-contest) fought the majority of his UFC bouts at 185 pounds, and was successful in three of four light heavyweight contests. McGregor (21-4), a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, has only competed twice over the 155-pound limit, battling Nate Diaz twice at welterweight.